Complete SSDI Denial Guide – Connecticut, Connecticut

Introduction: Facing an SSDI Denial in Connecticut

If you live anywhere in the state of Connecticut—from Bridgeport on Long Island Sound to the rolling hills around Hartford—and you have received a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) denial, you are not alone. In recent years, nearly two-thirds of initial SSDI applications filed with the Social Security Administration (SSA) were denied nationwide, and Connecticut applicants track that national trend. A denial is not the end of your claim; it is the beginning of a clearly defined appeals process created by federal law. This guide breaks down every step of that process, explains the key federal regulations that apply, and shows you where to get local help in Connecticut. Every fact is drawn from authoritative sources such as the Social Security Administration, the Code of Federal Regulations (20 CFR), the Social Security Act, and published federal court opinions.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

The Right to Apply and Be Heard

Under Section 205(b) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(b), every applicant for disability benefits is entitled to notice of a denial and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Federal regulations flesh out those rights, most notably:

• 20 CFR § 404.909 – Gives claimants 60 days to request reconsideration of an initial denial.

• 20 CFR § 404.933 – Gives claimants 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) after a reconsideration denial.

Because federal law pre-empts state law in the SSDI arena, these rights apply equally to residents of Connecticut, whether you live in Stamford, New Haven, Waterbury, or any of the state’s 169 towns.

What “Disability” Means

The Social Security Act defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted—or is expected to last—at least 12 consecutive months or result in death (42 U.S.C. § 423(d)). The SSA applies a strict, five-step sequential evaluation. Knowing how each step works can help Connecticut claimants understand where an application may have faltered:

• Are you working above SGA?

• Is your impairment severe?

• Does it meet or equal a listed impairment in the SSA’s Blue Book?

• Can you do your past relevant work?

• Can you adjust to any other work in the national economy?

Claimants bear the burden at Steps 1–4; SSA bears it at Step 5. A knowledgeable Connecticut disability attorney can help gather medical and vocational evidence tailored to these steps.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

Understanding why claims are denied can make your appeal more effective.

1. Insufficient Medical Evidence

SSA adjudicators rely heavily on objective medical records. Missing imaging studies, sporadic treatment notes, or failure to follow prescribed therapy often lead to a denial under 20 CFR § 404.1519a.

2. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

If you earned more than $1,470 per month in 2023 ($2,460 if blind), the SSA presumes you can engage in SGA, triggering a Step 1 denial.

3. Short Duration of Impairment

Conditions expected to improve within 12 months usually do not qualify (42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)).

4. Failure to Cooperate

Ignoring SSA requests for additional records or consultative exams can lead to a technical denial under 20 CFR § 404.1518.

5. Non-Medical Technical Denials

Lack of sufficient work credits, incorrect Social Security numbers, or missing citizenship status documentation are common technical pitfalls.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

Two sets of federal rules dominate SSDI appeals: the Social Security Act (statute) and the Code of Federal Regulations (rules). Connecticut state law supplements these rules mostly through attorney licensing, but it cannot contradict federal disability standards.

Statute of Limitations for Appeals

• Request for Reconsideration: 60 days from receipt of the denial notice (presumed received 5 days after mailing), per 20 CFR § 404.909.

• ALJ Hearing: 60 days from reconsideration denial, per 20 CFR § 404.933.

• Appeals Council Review: 60 days from ALJ decision, 20 CFR § 404.968.

• Federal District Court: 60 days from Appeals Council denial or decision, authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

Missing a deadline usually means starting over with a new application, unless you can show good cause as defined in 20 CFR § 404.911.

Evidentiary Rules

SSA follows its own evidentiary rules. Medical opinion evidence is evaluated under 20 CFR § 404.1520c (post-March 27, 2017 claims). Objective medical evidence enjoys stronger weight than subjective complaints. Vocational experts (VEs) provide testimony at ALJ hearings to determine whether jobs exist that you can still perform.

Connecticut Federal Court Precedents

The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (D. Conn.) routinely reviews SSDI cases. Although each case is fact-specific, several D. Conn. opinions have reversed SSA denials where ALJs failed to properly consider treating physician opinions or claimant credibility. Experienced attorneys cite these opinions to strengthen appeals.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Denial Letter Carefully

Your notice (SSA-L443) explains why you were denied and lists the deadline for appeal. Mark that date immediately.

2. File a Request for Reconsideration

You can file online, by mail, or in person at any Connecticut SSA field office. Be sure to include any new medical evidence since your initial application. Connecticut residents often file at these busy locations:

• Hartford Field Office: 960 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103

• New Haven Field Office: 150 Court Street, 4th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510

• Bridgeport Field Office: 3885 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606

SSA prefers electronic submissions; the online portal time-stamps your filing, providing strong proof you met the 60-day deadline.

3. Prepare for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing

Only about 13% of Connecticut reconsiderations are approved, making the ALJ hearing the critical stage. Steps to strengthen your case:

• Request and review your entire SSA claim file (e-folder).

• Update diagnostic tests—MRI, CT, lab panels, psychological evaluations.

• Obtain Medical Source Statements from treating physicians.

• Write a detailed pre-hearing brief aligning evidence to the five-step sequence.

4. Appeals Council Review

The Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, looks for legal or procedural errors. New evidence is accepted only if it relates to the period before the ALJ decision per 20 CFR § 404.970.

5. Federal Court Review

Connecticut claimants file in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (Hartford, New Haven, or Bridgeport Divisions). The court reviews the administrative record and determines whether the ALJ’s decision is supported by substantial evidence under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Attorney Fee Rules

Federal law caps contingency fees at 25% of past-due benefits or $7,200 (effective November 30, 2022), whichever is lower, unless a fee petition is filed (42 U.S.C. § 406). You pay nothing upfront, and Connecticut attorneys must be in good standing with the Connecticut Bar to represent you in federal court.

Indicators You Need an Attorney

• Your impairment involves complex medical evidence (e.g., combined mental and physical conditions).

• You are unfamiliar with vocational grids in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2.

• You received an unfavorable ALJ decision citing failure to follow treatment.

• You cannot compile or index your medical records.

Statistically, represented claimants succeed at higher rates in Connecticut, mirroring national data reported in the SSA’s Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Connecticut Vocational & Medical Resources

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services – Provides vocational rehabilitation that can document functional limitations.

• Yale New Haven Hospital and Hartford Hospital – Both are Level I trauma centers offering comprehensive specialty care; their detailed records often satisfy SSA’s requirement for objective medical evidence.

Support Organizations

• Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT) – Federally mandated Protection & Advocacy system for the state.

• 211 Connecticut – Free referral service that can locate housing, utility, and mental-health assistance, critical for documenting daily living limitations.

Connecticut SSA Hearing Offices

SSDI hearings for Connecticut residents are generally held at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) in Hartford (One Corporate Center, 20 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103) or New Haven (150 Court Street). Remote video hearings are also available statewide.

Checklist Before You Appeal Again

• Confirm your deadline.

• Collect all new medical records.

• Obtain detailed doctor opinions on functional limits.

• List your past jobs and required physical/mental demands.

• Contact a Connecticut disability attorney if overwhelmed.

Authoritative References

SSA Appeal Process 20 CFR Part 404 (Federal Regulations) Social Security Act § 205 U.S. District Court – District of Connecticut

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for Connecticut residents. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Connecticut attorney regarding your specific situation.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.